Bridgeton pioneer., 1887-12-15
FREDERICKSBURG.

The 25th anniversary of the battle
of Fredericksburg, and the first re-
union of the Oath Regiment, New
Jersey Volunteers, were celebrated in
Bridgeton Tuesday.
As quarter of a century has passed
away, and another generation has
grown to man and womanhood since
the bloody battle on the heights OF
Fredericksburg, it may be we'll to
repeat the story of that famous en-
gagement. 1t will be of interest to
many hundreds of readers who are
unfamiliar with the history OF this
particular struggle, with which the
comrades of the gath regiment were so
closely identified
The battle of Fredericksburg was
fought December 18th, 1862, between
the Union forces under General Am
brose &. Burnside, and the Conted-
crate under General Robert b. Lee.
On Nov. 7th Burnside had superseded
General Geo. B. Mcclellan, by COM
mand of President Lincoln. The Fed
eral army was then concentrated near
Warrenton. Virginia, and the bulk of
the Confederates near Cnipeppef,
twenty miles south. General Burn
side proposed to make Aequia Greek,
near Fredericksburg, his base, and to
move upon Richmond by the line OF
the Fredericksburg railroad. General
Sumner with the Federal right,
reached Falmouth, opposite Freder-
icksburg, Nov. 18th. The intention
was to cross the Rappahannock and
seize the heights Of Fredericksburg;
but the pontoons had not been pro-
vided, and weeks passed. Meantime
Lee had come up, and occupied the
heights. On December 18th the cross
ing of the river was effected, and
preparations were made for battle on
the morrow. The attack upon the
heights was made by General Frank
lin on the left, and by General Sumner
on the right. General Joe Hooker
being afterward sent to the assistance
of the latter. The Confederate posi-
ton proved impregnable, and at night
all attempts to carry it were aban-
doned On the 18th General Burnside
recrossed his forces. The Confederate
loss was 595 killed, 4,061 wounded, 653
missing; in all $500. In round num-
bers the Union loss was 1900 killed,
9,100 wounded, 900 prisoners, and 75O
straggers; 10, $50 in all. Of Burnside's
100000 men who crossed the river,
only about $4,000 were fairly brought
into action; of the Confederate $4,000,
only about 25 ,0O0 The Confederates
had the advantage in being strongly
intrenched behind natural fortifica
tions, which were almost unassalable,
while the Federal troops were COM
pelleu to assault in the open field III
the midst of terrible fire of shot and
shell from innumerable batteries. 1t
was IA one sided battle, which could
and did have bat one result, and that
disaster for the Union army
Ga bright day in the morning OF
early September, 1862, the shrill notes
of the fife and the rattle of the kettle
drum were heard upon our streets. 1t
was u ime of war, and stirring scenes
were being enacted. Within three |
days three hundred men had enlisted |
from this city and vicinity alone under
the call of President Lincoln for 300,- |
900 additional troops. Patriotic |
Bridgeton was alive, and nobly she did |
her duty By noon the volunteers had
all gathered, and under their respective
commanders the companies took up
their march for the West Jersey Rail
road Depot. They were followed
through the street by great crowd OF
citizens, men, women and children.
Man- were the hurrahs given as they |
marched into the cars, and many the
tears shed by the wives. sisters and
brothers, who were left behind
After being mustered into active
service the gath regiment took part in |
two of the fiercest battles of the war,
Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. |
Tt was baptism of fire and blood, and |
many there were who fell never to rise |